|
|
Global responsibility
Towards a new vision of peacekeeping
September 22, 2005
|
| |
|
The Department of National Defence has confirmed that Canadian soldiers have engaged Taliban and al Qaeda fighters in Afghanistan and that opposition fighters have been both captured and killed.
|
| |
Though Canada has indicated a commitment to the war on terrorism and has been involved in that effort for some time now, this recent course of action (like many that have preceded it) does not address the root causes of our problems and is another disheartening milestone in the polarization of global powers and events. |
|
|
True power exists not in the taking-away of life, but rather in the preservation of life. |
|
| |
|
Things just got a lot more complicated; what stability remaining, giving way to chaos. The world is in great need, but instead of helping, we're actually participating in a destructive paradigm that perpetuates the making of enemies.
|
| |
|
I suggest that instead of making enemies, we develop friendships. Lets begin a planned withdrawal of our military operations abroad and divert our resources towards true peacekeeping initiatives such as aids, poverty, famine, draught, poor water quality, pollution, mandatory reusable and recycleable containers and packages for food and other types of products, global warming, education and health, the preservation of endangered species and towards the development and proper use of environmentally sound technologies.
|
| |
|
The world is in such great need that even if we divert all of our attention and resources towards global relief, healing and other forms of assistance here at home and abroad, we'll still be faced with many peacekeeping and other environmental challenges.
|
| |
|
So why not focus on life-affirming ways to contribute to our world so that we can address the root causes of our problems rather than limit ourselves to methods that maintain the agendas of dominant powers caught-up in endless cycles of war and all of the related ills that befall humanity as a result?
|
| |
Our world, needs our help, and helping will be key towards achieving some form of refuge in the midst of coming storms. Consider doing something healthy and positive ... today and everyday. Be imaginative; be creative; be non-violent. Begin with yourself, then with your family, your community, your nation and the world. You'll be happier for it, and so will all the world. Oh, and watch your back.
|
| |
|
True power exists not in the taking-away of life, but rather in the preservation of life.
|
| |
|
Note to Mr. Bush: By preservation of life, I mean all life, not just the 'coalition of the pressured' existence-type life. Also, preservation of life does not include the possibility of taking away life under certain conditions such as those expounded by the abhorrent self-serving doctrine of pre-emptive attack. Just thought I'd make that clear, Mr. Bush, because well, you sure have a way with misusing words to further your own ambitions. Case in point: 'Patriot Act'. Give me a break! Or rather, give the patriots (always true) a break! The loss of civil liberties is 'unpatriotic' and subject to great abuses of power ... as you no doubt, are already aware!
|
| |
|
|
 
Outaouais Hills |
|
"Whatever befalls the earth, befalls the children of the earth."
"We did not weave the web of life, we are merely a strand in it."
"Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves."
Ted Perry, Scriptwriter
for film 'Home' (1972) casting Chief Seattle as ecological visionary
|
|
